Pressroom

Close Encounter with a Shark, Airs Oct. 22, 2009

OREGON FIELD GUIDE takes you on a close encounter with one of the largest sharks in the world — the mysterious sixgill shark living just offshore along the Pacific Northwest coast. Tune in to the stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting on Thursday, October 22 at 8:30pm and see why some folks are getting a rare look at this reclusive shark species.

The bluntnose sixgill shark normally likes to hug the bottom of the deep reaches of the ocean and are designed to be seldom seen. But recently, they’ve been encountered just feet from the shore in Puget Sound, one of the busiest bays in the country, and divers from around the world are coming to see them. FIELD GUIDE joins a team of scientists and divers who are trying to find out more about these curious giants.

There’s research to show that the tsunami risk is far more severe than scientists previously thought. Indian oral tradition recounting tsunamis seems eerily accurate in light of new research. We also look at evidence that proves the risk is great, and what coastal communities are doing about it.

It takes an expert to build a traditional, seaworthy boat from scratch, right? Well, see how a group of complete amateurs came together to hand-build a traditional-style 12-person, skin-on-frame Eskimo boat known as a “umiak,” in just one week.

FIELD GUIDE repeats Sundays at 2:30am and 6:30pm. Videos of the stories featured on FIELD GUIDE can be viewed online immediately following the broadcast at www.opb.org/programs/ofg/

About OREGON FIELD GUIDEIn its 21st season, OREGON FIELD GUIDE remains a valuable source of information about outdoor recreation, ecological issues, natural resources and travel destinations. OREGON FIELD GUIDE airs Thursday evenings at 8:30pm on the television stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting and repeats on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. In the Mountain Time zone of Eastern Oregon, the program airs at 9:30pm Thursdays, and at 7:30pm Sundays.

About OPBOPB is the largest cultural and education institution in the region, delivering excellence in public broadcasting to 1.5 million people each week through television, radio and the Internet. Widely recognized as a national leader in the public broadcasting arena, OPB is a major contributor to the program schedule that serves the entire country. OPB is one of the most-used and most-supported public broadcasting services in the country and is generously supported by 120,000 contributors. opb.org